macon county nc sheriff candidates

In addition to his current role overseeing jail operations, Jones also highlighted his other collateral duties, such as his involvement with Special Olympics, Project Lifesaver (a community safety program that makes it easier to find missing individuals with conditions like autism or dementia), mental health task force and the safe schools task force. I dont want this to be one occurrence I want to be a regular face at these events in these various communities because I believe you, the citizens, know what is best for your neighbors. I believe in adequate coverage for all citizens. Candidate Profiles: Macon County Sheriff Candidates By The Southern Scoop on April 26, 2022 Candidate Profiles for Macon County Sheriff Candidate Clay Bryson and Brent Holbrooks, the two candidates to respond to interview questions for The Southern Scoop News. An employee directory of phone numbers and email addresses for Macon County NC Government. As I embrace this journey to become your Sheriff, I do so knowing that together we can make a difference. You never know where WUNC's events will take you. I hear that everywhere I go, he said. The men and women of the MCSO also volunteer their . Bryson said he has three specific areas he believes he can enhance. Bob Scott (828) 421-7843. When it comes to getting new officers, Bryson said the department will continue to recruit through the law enforcement academies and job fairs. Well start with these intermediate community drug dealers and work our way up., He believes for too long the system has been set up to work from the top down with officers on the lookout for the big guys., Weve never got the big guy here. He thinks the solution is starting at the bottom with the local dealers. Weve got to reach out.. Address. The Macon County Sheriff's Office takes a proactive approach to law enforcement--focusing on working WITH the public and preventing crime before it happens. But with the amount of drugs in this town, we should be seeing busts every week. He says transparency is a pretty easy problem to fix. Name on Ballot. It is a battle were going to continue to fight., Bryson sees the drug problem as the number one issue facing the county. In 1893 he was elected by the largest vote received by any candidate, as a member of the first board of county commissioners of Chatham under the new law for such boards that went into effect at that time. Bryson and his wife Ariel have been married since 2014 and currently reside in the Cullasaja Community of Macon County. At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. He plans to seek grants and funding opportunities to make mental health resources and substance abuse treatment more readily available and accessible. Browning said the county is already spending money to house inmates in other facilities and the time will come for a new jail. Brent Holbrooks was the top vote getter. Macon County - Sheriff Robert Holland is retiring after serving in the role since 2002. OFFICE OF SHERIFF STATE-BY-STATE ELECTIONS INFORMATION STATE Elections Division Website State Elections Division Sheriffs' Election Info No. Anybody that can help provide the assets, equipment, money and other resources to fight this problem we have in Macon County., His goal is to make it so the people who are bringing drugs into the county will no longer want to come here. Personal blog He said he decided to run because he wants to be part of moving the the office forward. Cody Moore served as the Decatur Police Department's Deputy Chief until 2016 when he retired. Holbrooks said there is not enough space in the current jail. P.O. As such, I have experience in making hand to hand drug buys for a $20.00 crack or heroin purchase to as much as multiple kilogram amounts of methamphetamine. This is where I grew up; where my children and grandchildren are growing up. These things, Im very passionate about. Macon Countys rural nature, paired with geographical challenges puts the outlying areas of the county just as Nantahala and Burningtown at a disadvantage. We need to offer our community members an alternative to turning to drugs and the power and knowledge to break free from addiction., Holbrooks: Eight generations of Holbrooks have called Macon County home it is this legacy, strong family values and impeccable work ethic that defines who I am. Posted at 01:41h . Combine that with the body scanner and it will be a much safer situation for everybody, he said. Leading up to the primary, The Macon County News will publish candidate profiles for local offices. Sheriff Brent Holbrooks - 2368 (32.21 percent) Winner Dereck E. Jones - 2314 (31.57 percent) Clay Bryson - 1123 (15.32 percent) Six counties in the westernmost part of North Carolina elected new sheriffs in the primary election. Incarceration isnt going to solve the tragedy impacting our friends and neighbors struggling with drug addictions. One of the first ways I plan to accomplish this is to refocus the agencies SRO [School Resource Officer] program and to improve the program for all these officers to be more than SROs I want them to be active community law enforcement officers that are geared toward proactive policing and reform. I want them to know that I will be transparent and responsive. Next, I would take the four K-9 Officers and place one per shift. If they are a victim of a crime, it will be properly investigated. Next, I will meet with the Assistant Supervisor in Charge of the DEA as well as other federal authorities to discuss our needs. He says a lot of the drug arrests are people being charged with possession, but there needs to be more emphasis on those selling and manufacturing. In local races when a candidate wins by less than a 1 percent margin the second vote getter can request a recount, according to NC election law. Bryson: The drug tragedy in Macon County continues to grow; drug dealers are advancing quicker than law enforcement resources can evolve and it seems like we are always one step behind. Bryson: The strongest area within the Macon County Sheriffs Office is our employees. The drug problem affects every single family in Macon County.. We need to be helping those who need help and want help, he said. I am running to make a change in the direction of our Sheriffs Office. He was born and raised in Newton, Iowa. I want to make our county safer for our families, he said. It absolutely needs to be replaced, but we need to plan for the future.. The video was released after a group of North Carolina media organizations including Blue Ridge Public Radio filed a complaint seeking its release. I am a man of my word. What Otto needs from me as Sheriff may be different from what Highlands needs and I want to hear that from those who work and live in those communities every day. No Democrats are running in the race, which means whoever is elected in the May 17 primary will likely be the incoming sheriff to take office at the end of the year. The candidates to replace Holland bring a variety of experience. 5) Any closing words you want to say to voters. He says he will be running as a Republican candidate. Candidates were asked to provide a short bio and were asked the same questions. Brent Holbrooks is a lieutenant at the MCSO who has been with the office about 23 years. They wanted a change in leadership. I have a great relationship with the community, he said. Comment Jones: Combating the drug epidemic, community relations/partnerships, and training in specific areas. What do you see as the strongest area currently within the department? Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. The Southern Scoop News sent the following email to all candidates for Macon County Sheriff and posted the same text on Facebook for full transparency: As all of you know, I have made the decision to not cover the Macon County Sheriffs Election. Other officers are the best recruiters Ive got.. I obtained my law enforcement certification from Southwestern Community College and I began working at the Macon County Sherrifs Department in 1999. Jones said education is important and he wants to expand training opportunities for the department. The North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force (Task Force) has submitted its 2023 Annual Report to Governor Cooper and the NC General Assembly. He has served many roles in the agency and is currently captain over patrol. With more arrests comes the need for more jail space. I want to look at what can be done without costing a lot of money and to be a good steward of taxpayer money, he said. Macon County Beekeepers will hold their Bee School, Saturday, February 11 and Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. 1 month ago NC 4-H Camps Selected to Participate in NC State Crowdfunding Campaign View Candidates by State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Bob Cook is married (newly) with four daughters, nine grandchildren and one on the way plus one great grandson. Jones said that while some old-school methods may still work, any organization must change with the times. CANDIDATE LIST GROUPED BY CONTEST: Candidate Name. Im not going to sit around and just let the drugs go crazy because were waiting on the big guy. Brent Holbrooks said his career in law enforcement was inspired by his father and grandfathers decades of service to Macon County. Macon County Sheriff candidates Jon L. Butts, Jim Root, and Tony "Chubby" Brown all lieutenants with the sheriff's office address the crowd during the NAACP Decatur Branch's. My approach to attacking Macon Countys drug problem centers around pooling resources and looking at all angles. Henderson County Sheriff Erik Summey Republican Charles McDonald Republican Michael Brown Republican Jackson County Board of Education District 4 Judy Watson Henry Ali Laird-Large Wanda. Were doing a lot on that end of the spectrum, but youve got to have a willing body, he said. Its ridiculous.. Official community group for the Macon County NC Sheriff's Election. Upon retirement from the Navy, I went to the Police Academy in Jacksonville, Fla., after which I was hired by the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, Jacksonville Beach, Fla. After approximately two and a half years, I applied to the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office where I remained for approximately 20 years. To me its the passion I have inside and the fact I feel led to be where Im at, and I want to continue giving.. Extreme aggressiveness on the drug problem, thats the number one problem, he said. Recruitment and retention of officers is an issue not just locally, but across the country. I am not a politician. I worked for the of Franklin While I eagerly awaited my 21 birthday, when I could begin the BLET program. Hear poetry from NC's poet laureate. In 2007, Nantahala was given four Deputy positions specifically for the Nantahala area. I will work tirelessly to accomplish everything I have said I would do. With it being so close, regardless of which one won if it went the other way I think that a recount would have been asked for also, said Thibault. He was promoted to captain just when the office was restructured and the entire command staff received that rank. I want to further our agency just as Sheriff Holland has worked to do for many years. He said ideally there would be seven deputies on duty each shift including a K9 officer, and with eight deputies per shift the department could maybe add highway interdiction. Cody Moore has officially announced his candidacy for the 2022 election . She isnt surprised by the recount. While the county also makes money housing inmates from other counties, Browning said if a facility were built to federal code, the county could be paid to house federal inmates. He said all professions have bad apples and some young people are growing up with a negative impression of law enforcement. Persons must be registered He is also employed as an adjunct instructor of law enforcement training at Southwestern Community College where he instructs Basic Law Enforcement Training cadets, National Park Service, in-service training, and anything else at the request of the college. If elected he plans to invite the commissioners and other officials to tour the jail. 148 likes. At over 500 square miles, the majority of Macon County sits outside of the Franklin town limits. I believe in fairness. I will be creative and innovative, using natural interpersonal skills learned from my family and generational roots. Its the highest liability position, and during the last three and a half years, Ive had the opportunities administratively to work on the budget with the chief deputy, Jones said. This election is not about me, its about you, meaning the public, and of course, our youth.. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News. Ive taken great pride to get to know the citizens of Macon County for almost 23 years. In our spare time, we enjoy spending time outdoors and with our family. I want to work with other agencies around the area (city and county), state, and federal agencies and pool our resources to combat the ever growing drug problem. Individuals and organizations had 60-days for final objections on the plan but only if they had previously commented. This proactive approach, outside of the day-to-day in-school role of an SRO will increase the responsibility of SROs to be entire community representatives. We have to start with the kids, he said. Macon County Voting & Election Information Every United States citizen 18 years of age and older who have resided in the election district 30 days before an election is entitled to register and vote in that district. A local man is coming out of retirement to run for Macon County Sheriff next year. Eventually, Cook found his way to Macon County. Yes. Town of Waynesville will pursue staggered terms for aldermen, Residents object to LGBTQ literature at Macon library, After two weeks in court, a hung jury leads to mistrial in Knibbs case, Macon starts budget in good financial health. He said competitive wages are helpful in recruitment and keeping officers. I spoke to a MCSO Street supervisor and asked what it would take to get coverage into those areas. I have deep commitment to all Maconians and to our youth. In addition, Bryson has served on the SRT for years and has been its commander since 2012. Those residents deserve the same response and service from the Macon County Sheriffs Office as someone who lives in the center of town. Finally, he wants to focus on rehabilitation. Those objections trigger a 90-day response time from the U.S. Forest Service. During my time in law enforcement, I had the pleasure of doing just about anything an officer can do, from patrol to traffic to evidence processing to community policing to investigating burglary and economic crimes, he added. A recount has been called for in the Macon County Sheriff's race. SROs play an invaluable role in our agency. He said a good leader recognizes who the best people are, making them part of the leadership staff and delegating when possible. This isnt something that I take lightly, as I have been preparing for this day for many years.. I will always give you a fair shake, he said. He wants to set up a merit-based system to recognize officers and individuals at the lower ranks. jobs in Macon County, NC Sort by: relevance - date 2,351 jobs Realtor/Real Estate Agent Blue Ridge Premier Realty Sylva, NC $50,000 - $100,000 a year Full-time Choose your own hours Requirements North Carolina Real Estate License North Carolina Real Estate Sales: 1 year Laboratory Manager Mountain Lakes Medical Center 2.4 Clayton, GA 30525 You can chose to answer all of the questions, one or two of the questions, or none of the questions. Brent Holbrooks In the event that does not happen, the second highest vote-getter can call for a recall, which would be held July 26. To win, a candidate must get at least 30 percent of the vote plus one. I returned back as road patrol officer and shortly thereafter, I was promoted to Corporal. But for those who do not, I wanted to give you a glimpse into who I am and why I am requesting your support. He said adding a kitchen facility to the existing building would help save on what the county spends buying inmate meals from outside sources, and cooking would be something inmates could do. He wants to have six deputies working per shift including a K9 unit on a regular patrol shift. 4) If you were not running for office, which of the other candidates would you vote for and why? The Macon County Arrest Records Search (North Carolina) links below open in a new window and take you to third party websites that provide access to Macon County public records. He said extra patrolling will also be helpful in fighting the drug problem, because the people running and dealing drugs like to hang out in places where they dont see patrols. Bryson said his education and his years with the department have given him boots-on-the ground experience coupled with administrative duties such as managing a budget, writing policy and implementing programs. After 20 years of doing things the same way its time for a whole different approach and attitude.. I know how it affected me as a young man, he said. He wants to see officers more involved with the countys youth through community programs and youth sports. Holbrooks wants to foster a positive work culture within the department and continue to advocate for competitive pay. Cook: While it is difficult to pick between the Detention Center and Patrol, the strongest area of the department appears to be the patrol division. Related to community partnerships is educating youth not only about the dangers such as drug use, but also showing them opportunities available. Of course, others may step up to run for the office, but Root will be a tough incumbent to beat, considering everything that happened in the 2018 race aftermath. The sheriff is not a title for me, he said. Phone. I dont. From there, I then began working my way through the ranks as a corporal, sergeant, first sergeant, narcotics investigator, SWAT commander, K9 Supervisor/ Trainer, and now as Captain over Patrol. Some of you know me as Deputy Holbrooks and more recently as Lieutenant Holbrooks, others know me as COACH. While Jones boasts diverse experience at MCSO, he highlighted his current role as a good example of why hes prepared to become sheriff. They want unity. I am community oriented and believe in community partnerships, Jones said. So, the question isnt whether you know me, the real question you may ask is can I vote for Brent Holbrooks as Macon Countys next Sheriff? My vision for the Office of Sheriffs simple, BE A STRONG YET COMPASSIONATE LEADER who listens to every voice equally a leader that is in-touch with the residents, a leader that understands what being a public law enforcement servant is all about, a leader that respects everyone. 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